Editorial: Nation got to see Chester's sweet spot

Phatso's Bakery owner Richard Wilcos, right and son Brandon Wilcox pose for a photo at their store in Chester. The store will be featured on the Food Network's show, "Save My Bakery." (Times Staff / JULIA WILKINSON)

Let’s face it, the city has issues. But those who are so quick to write off the city too often ignore the signs of rebirth that are apparent across its landscape.

Mention to someone that Chester is going to make an appearance on national TV, and officials’ faces might turn sour, expecting one more negative portrayal of their burg.

Not today.

Welcome to “Phat” City.

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Last night the rest of the nation got a “taste” of an honest-to-goodness Chester success story.

Phatso’s Bakery, a city icon on Welsh Street, and owner Richard Wilcox were featured on a new show on the Food Network called “Save My Bakery.”

Before Rivertowne, before Harrah’s, before PPL Park, Wilcox saw the promise in Chester, and in particular its sparkling waterfront.

That’s when he decided to follow his dream. In this instance, it took him to 609 Welsh St. For the past 13 years, Wilcox has been churning out sweet delicacies from his shop.

Now the rest of the nation will get in on Chester and Delaware County’s little secret.

A crew from the Food Network spent more than a week in the city at Phatso’s back in December, recording the every move of Wilcox and his staff of five employees for an episode called “Save My Bakery” that aired last night.

If Chester is to continue its renaissance, it’s essential that so much of the progress that has been noted along its waterfront make its way across Route 291 and into the city’s downtown and neighborhoods.

To do that, they will need people like Wilcox, people willing to follow their dream.

Wilcox worked at both Dunkin Donuts and Pepperidge Farm for years before deciding to strike out on his own. He bought what was then Ann’s Donut Shop in 2001. In the last “Baker’s Dozen” years, Phatso’s glazed donuts have become legendary not only in the city, but in the rest of the county as well.

Now Wilcox is considering expanding his operation, including the possibility of a sit-down area.

The success of Phatso’s has not been lost on city officials and Mayor John Linder. They see the bakery as the sweet recipe of success in the battle to reverse the city’s struggling fortunes.

Linder specifically referred to Phatso’s as doing something that has been perhaps even more difficult than striking gold in the city’s waterfront.

After all, projects such as Harrah’s and others along the waterfront have benefitted from operating in Keystone Opportunity Zones, which carry with them the enormous perk of being tax-free for many years.

Wilcox didn’t have that luxury. That didn’t stop him from putting down stakes in the city’s downtown, thus becoming one of the first businesses to return to the city’s heart.

Linder said Wilcox has “reinvigorated development of our central business district, not only with a delicious product, but with a replicable business model … and an attractive destination spot in the city of Chester.”

Last night Chester City Council held a special evening session at which Wilcox was honored. Afterward, the group moved to the Community Room for a special showing of the show.

A national spotlight on a thriving business in Chester?

Sweet!

Parting Shot

In his three short years, little Brayden Chandler of Springfield offered us much in terms of resilience and battling the odds.

Brayden captured the heart of the county when he was greeted home by a phalanx of police, first responders, family and friends on his return from a trip offered by the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Now those very same hearts are broken at the unbearably sad news that Brayden lost his battle.

Brayden Chandler was 3 years old. He had struggled much of that time against an aggressive cancer in his kidneys. Too bad his kidneys weren’t as big as his heart.